Condoms are $755 in Venezuela. Guess Why?

One Word: Socialism

The collapse in oil prices has been a boon to the American marketplace. But in Venezuela, where their socialist government is totally dependent on oil revenues, they’re suffering from a big f**king problem. A box of condoms costs $755.

“The country is so messed up that now we have to wait in line even to have sex. This is a new low,” said Jonatan Montilla.

A website called MercadoLibre (free market), offers people scarce goods in the region. And a pack of Trojan condoms costs 4,770 bolivars ($755), or approximately a month’s minimum wage. But we thought a minimum wage was supposed to help people provide for their basic needs?

Condom shortages have enormous impacts on public health. Abortion is illegal in Venezuela, and they also have one of the highest HIV rates in South America, as well as highest teenage pregnancy rates. Clearly condoms are badly needed, but there is no way for the private market to step in and offer supply to meet the demand. [RELATED: The Fruits of Socialism – Food Lines in Venezuela]

The condom shortage, caused by a scarcity of dollars among importers, has prices on a website used to find scarce goods soaring and risks aggravating one of South America’s highest HIV infection and teenage pregnancy rates.

Condoms and other contraceptives disappeared from many Venezuelan pharmacies and clinics starting in late December, as the government tightened dollar disbursements amid sliding oil revenue, according to the Venezuelan Pharmaceutical Federation. No condoms were available in 10 eastern and central Caracas pharmacies visited in late January, compared with as many as 20 different kinds available at some locations in November, including Reckitt Benckiser Group plc’s Durex and Church & Dwight Co.’s Trojan brands.

Venezuela’s oil export profits have fallen by 60 percent in the last seven months. Bloomberg reports that if oil prices don’t rise that there is a three-in four chance of default. President Maduro is responding to the problem by slashing imports, which will result in 42 percent less imports than in 2012. [RELATED: Venezuela Is Facing A Tragic Shortage of McDonald’s French Fries]

Clearly the answer to the problem will be what the socialists say here in the United States right? The solution to the problems caused by government is… more government?

Sorry socialists, but get f**ked. Oh, you can’t. Because condoms cost $755.

Austin Petersen is a homegrown Missourian with a lifelong passion for liberty. He grew up on a horse farm in Peculiar, Missouri and went on to attend Missouri State University, graduating with a degree in the Fine Arts. After developing a career in media in both New York City and Washington, D.C., he returned to Kansas City, MO, the city he now calls home.
In 2016, Petersen appeared on the national stage as a candidate for president of the United States. He took second place in the crowded Libertarian primary behind Governor Gary Johnson and ahead of cyber security maverick John McAfee. During his campaign, Petersen earned many high-profile conservative endorsements, including Mary Matalin, Erick Erickson and Leon Wolf of RedState.com.
Petersen also brings decades of professional experience in a wide variety of fields, from content production and media to business and political activism. He is the owner and chief executive of Stonegait LLC, a consulting firm specializing in photo and video services. He was also the director of production at FreedomWorks and an associate producer for Judge Andrew Napolitano’s show “Freedom Watch” on the Fox Business Network.
Additionally, Petersen has a national following as a commentator and professional pundit. He is the founder of The Libertarian Republic, a powerful online news source for the public that receives an average of 1 million unique visits monthly and whose podcast, The Freedom Report, receives an average of one million monthly downloads. He is also a frequent contributor on television, appearing on Fox News, Fox Business, CNN, MSNBC and on dozens of local radio shows.